The number of classes, appearances, books, and podcasts for writers boggles the mind. It almost feels like teaching writers makes more money than actually doing it.

Out of curiosity, I briefly study most of those opportunities that come across my desktop, and, believe me, I’m on a lot of mailing lists. If they appear interesting, the first thing I do is look up the presenter. You would be amazed at how many teachers haven’t done much more than teach writing. A lot of them wrote one book, maybe two, and then deemed themselves experts. Some published six articles then considered themselves established.

But it’s because so many writers, especially fresh writers, are so eager to find success that they gorge on how-to, seeking the magic carpet that will get them there. Most do not have the hundreds or thousands of dollars it takes for the higher level professional services, so they opt for the less expensive.

Recently someone asked me how to land a grant. Their goal was to publish their book they’d been working on for years, then teach writing. They defined their years of working on a project, even though it hadn’t proven successful yet, as the experience they needed to teach others. If she makes the class professional-looking online, she’ll get students, but what proven skills does she have to teach? Worse, what misinformation will she teach?

Then there are online schools and organizations who come with reputations, but then they hire subcontractors who seek to make their name on the coattails of the institute’s name. If you choose to take a classes, check out the reputation of the teacher as well.

Define what you wish to learn before you blindly lay down money for a class, a book, or a workshop. Venture into such a setting knowing that the teacher may teach in a direction that may not work for you. Everyone teaches what they know, but nobody has experienced everything. They might be quite limited. For instance, someone who has only self-published in a hybrid environment, who cannot talk traditional or pure-indie self-publishing, may not teach you all you need to learn. And someone who teaches traditional isn’t who you need if you’ve decided to self-publish.

It’s easy to get attached to a merry-go-round of class-taking and how-to-book-reading and delay the actual writing.  You can’t just read a library of cookbooks before attempting to cook. Same goes for your writing. The classes are fine-tuning your efforts, not the end-all and be-all education you collect before writing.

Write. Learn what you don’t know. Then be better educated when you seek the right help to aid your effort.